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The Payroll Tax Cut Deal – Manipulating the Citizen’s Earnings

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. – Voltaire (1764)

Money taxed and spent by politicians comes from the labor and ingenuity of millions of workers. Politicians spend other peoples’ money.

The Payroll Tax Cut Deal – Manipulating the Citizen’s Earnings

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Representative David Camp (R-MI) forged a “deal” on cutting the payroll tax until the end of 2012. With this deal, 160 million workers will receive up to $2,000 more income this year. Needless-to-say, those 160 million workers will gladly welcome the additional funds. But beware, this is an election year ploy by both Republicans and Democrats to pander for votes.

Everyone knows America has a debt problem. Few Americans know, however, that this “deal” will add $200 billion to our debt. Immorally, these politicians – Democrats and Republicans – are predominately and overwhelmingly focused on being elected next November and less concerned about the consequences of their actions. Most Americans are concerned about being employed, caring for their family, friends, neighbors and community, and, therefore, have little to no time to focus on America's big picture. So, what does this “deal” do to America?

The “deal” itself is simple; every worker receives 2% more in income. However, this simple legislation quickly becomes an ugly exchange of votes for favors by politicians. Hence, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties basically bribed their legislators for their votes.

What was added to the payroll cuts?

There is the doctor fix. Medicare payments to physicians were increased by about 30%,

Long term unemployment benefits were extended.

New federal workers can contribute more to their defined retirement plan.

Federally controlled airwaves were auctioned off to wireless companies.

$7 billion was cut from hospitals to cover debts.

$5 billion was cut from ObamaCare’s prevention fund, which is used to help curb things like childhood diabetes and smoking.

Medicaid payments were cut to Louisiana residents.

Electronic welfare cards cannot be used at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.

Federal payments to medical labs were reduced.

Drug testing of unemployed people, who had tested positive before or who were seeking work in certain jobs, were implemented.

What was proposed by our “honorable” lawmakers?

Requiring Social Security numbers to utilize child tax credits.

Unemployed persons must enroll for a high school GED.

Higher contributions by federal workers to their defined benefit plans.

In the 18th century, when absolute monarchs ruled, Voltaire wrote:

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.

A century later, Otto von Bismarck of Prussia is reported to have said:

Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made.

Alas, the political animal remains the same. The political beast is best controlled by severely limiting their power. To effectively limit their power, we can't let them take our money – we must keep the tax-rate low. Next, we can't let them create more debt. There are many avenues to limit power and stop debt accretion. Making politicians personally and financially responsible is one such avenue.

Alas, We the People have a gigantic struggle to limit the power of our elected elites.

Every year since college, my best friend Dan and I have submitted our best observations on a wide range of topics that reflect on the year that has just expired. We follow the well established template of The McLaughlin Group program. Here are my reflections on 2012.

People are reading entirely too much into President Obama's re-election. He and Organizing for America, the Democratic Party, and allied groups simply beat Romney and the Republican National Committee, state parties, and aliied groups at getting out the vote.The reason Obama was able to do that is not because of policy or growing popular satisfaction with socialism. He convinced people that he was on their team, and they were on his. After that, nothing Romney said made a bit of difference.

Over the past four years, FreedomWorks has helped the conservative and libertarian movements grow and thrive. A million people marched on Capitol Hill in 2009. The GOP won a 60+ seat majority in the House in 2010.

As the steady trickle of uncomfortable news for the Obama campaign continues and one of its more prominent members shows who's really out of touch, a new poll shows Mitt Romney significantly cutting into the president's

A new ad for the Obama 2012 campaign came out. Ordinarily I watch those ads, shake my head, and continue on. In this case, however, the falsehoods and misconceptions are so awful that I had to call attention to it. Here is the ad, with commented transcript below.

President Obama granted an interview with CBS News in which he not only mischaracterized basic economic principles, but did so using his usual logical fallacies. After making these basic errors, he went on to question his opponent's ability even to think about the issues Mr. Obama had just shown himself unable to comprehend.

Obama seems to have one goal in mind this election: creating an even greater gap between Republicans and Democrats. I must admit, he’s doing a great job of it, stoking class warfare and feeding the media and his supporters left-wing lies. Did you hear the GOP is nothing but a bunch of wealthy and corrupt people that have no interest in the good of the lower and middle class citizens?